Nationalism is a powerful force in modern politics. It is the belief that the nation is the natural unit of political organisation and that members of a nation should live together in an independent political community, usually a state. Nationalism has inspired the creation of nation-states, the unification of peoples and the struggles for independence around the world. It is also capable of generating intense loyalty and, at times, conflict and exclusion.
The Indian freedom struggle was one of the great nationalist movements of the twentieth century. It united diverse peoples against colonial rule in the name of the Indian nation, and it gave birth to an independent India with a Constitution that defines a shared national identity. This chapter examines the meaning of nationalism, the concepts of nation and nation-state, theories of nationalism, and the relationship between nationalism, pluralism and democracy.
A nation is a body of people who share a sense of common identity and who typically have a shared history, culture, language, territory or religion. However, no single factor is necessary or sufficient for nationhood. What matters most is a shared sense of belonging and the will to live together. Benedict Anderson described the nation as an 'imagined political community' because members will never know most of their fellow members, yet they imagine a deep horizontal comradeship.
Nations are not natural or eternal; they are the products of historical processes. The sense of national identity is created through shared experiences, collective memory, symbols, literature and institutions. In India, the nation was imagined and built through the freedom struggle, which brought together people of different religions, languages and regions in a common cause.
A nation-state is a state whose population shares a common national identity and whose territory coincides with the homeland of the nation. In a nation-state, the boundaries of the state and the nation are expected to coincide. The modern state is a political entity with a defined territory, a government, and a monopoly of legitimate force. Nationalism links the state with the nation, claiming that each nation should have its own state.
In practice, few states are perfect nation-states. Most states contain multiple nations or nationalities within their boundaries. India is a multi-nation state: it contains many linguistic, religious and cultural communities, but they are bound together by a common citizenship and a shared constitutional identity. The Indian nation is defined not by a single culture but by common citizenship and democratic values.
Nationalism is often linked to the principle of self-determination, which holds that a people have the right to decide their own political destiny, including the right to form an independent state. The demand for self-determination inspired the Indian freedom struggle against British rule. However, the principle of self-determination is not simple: it is not clear exactly which groups constitute a 'people' entitled to self-determination.
In India, the nation-building project has emphasised unity in diversity. The Constitution accommodates regional, linguistic and cultural diversity through federalism, while maintaining a single Indian identity. The peaceful accommodation of diversity is seen as an alternative to the disruptive politics of ethnic separatism. The challenge is to balance the legitimate aspirations of groups with the unity and integrity of the country.
Nationalism is the political principle that holds that the nation and the state should be congruent, and that members of a nation should have a state of their own. Nationalism generates a sense of loyalty and belonging among members of the nation, and it can be a powerful source of collective identity and political mobilisation. It has both a positive dimension, fostering solidarity and self-respect, and a negative dimension, potentially leading to intolerance and conflict.
Nationalism is a modern phenomenon, associated with the rise of the modern state, industrialisation and mass education. It provides the cultural and emotional cement that binds citizens to the modern state. Nationalism can be inclusive or exclusive, civic or ethnic, depending on how the nation is defined and who is included in it.
Political theorists distinguish between ethnic or cultural nationalism and civic nationalism. Ethnic nationalism defines the nation in terms of a common ethnicity, culture, language or descent, and tends to be exclusive, as those who do not share these traits may not be considered true members. Civic nationalism defines the nation in terms of common citizenship, shared institutions and commitment to common values, and tends to be inclusive.
Civic nationalism is generally considered more compatible with democracy and pluralism because it defines membership in political rather than cultural terms. The Indian idea of the nation, as embodied in the Constitution, is closer to civic nationalism: it defines citizenship in political terms and respects cultural diversity. This inclusive conception is essential for a multi-religious and multilingual country.
Nationalism can be in tension with pluralism. Aggressive nationalism may demand cultural uniformity, suppress minority identities and reject outsiders. Inclusive nationalism respects internal diversity and accommodates the cultural, religious and linguistic differences of communities within a common political framework.
In the Indian context, the challenge has been to build a strong sense of national identity without suppressing the diverse identities of communities. The Constitution attempts to do this by combining common citizenship with cultural and religious freedoms, and by adopting a federal structure that respects regional identities. The ideal of unity in diversity reflects the belief that national identity can coexist with, and even draw strength from, pluralism.
Nationalism exists alongside internationalism and cosmopolitanism. While nationalism emphasises loyalty to one's nation, internationalism emphasises cooperation and solidarity among nations. Some thinkers argue that nationalism and internationalism are compatible, since a world of peaceful, self-respecting nations can cooperate for common goals. Others argue that excessive nationalism undermines international cooperation and peace.
India's foreign policy has combined nationalism with internationalism. India participated in the Non-Aligned Movement, supported decolonisation and promoted international peace. The challenge is to maintain a healthy national identity while also recognising the interdependence of nations and the shared concerns of humanity, such as peace, climate and development.
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nation | A body of people sharing a sense of common identity and the will to live together |
| State | Political entity with territory, government and monopoly of legitimate force |
| Nation-state | A state whose population shares a common national identity |
| Multi-nation state | A state containing several nations or nationalities, like India |
| Feature | Ethnic/Cultural Nationalism | Civic Nationalism |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of nation | Common ethnicity, culture, language, descent | Common citizenship, institutions and values |
| Inclusiveness | Tends to be exclusive | Tends to be inclusive |
| Compatibility with pluralism | Lower | Higher |
| Example of Indian connection | Emphasises one culture | Constitutional, political definition of membership |
Nationalism is the belief that the nation should be the basis of political organisation and that members of a nation should live together in an independent state. Nations are imagined communities built on shared identity and collective memory, and they are historical rather than natural creations. Nationalism can take inclusive civic forms or exclusive ethnic forms, and its compatibility with pluralism and democracy depends on how the nation is defined. The Indian conception of the nation, rooted in the freedom struggle and the Constitution, defines national identity in terms of common citizenship and shared values, embracing unity in diversity. A healthy nationalism, combined with respect for pluralism and international cooperation, remains essential for India's democratic future.